Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff plays a masterstroke

The host nation is slowly awakening to the fact that things might be slipping away. Forty-eight hours after Neymar was ruled out of the World Cup ahead of a difficult semifinal clash with formidable Germany, Brazil finds itself in the zone of anguish and uncertainty.

| TNN | Updated: Jul 7, 2014, 11:23 IST

BRASILIA: The host nation is slowly awakening to the fact that things might be slipping away. Forty-eight hours after Neymar was ruled out of the World Cup ahead of a difficult semifinal clash with formidable Germany, Brazil finds itself in the zone of anguish and uncertainty. The whole episode has got the continent up in support. Argentinian fans, who do not tire of poking fun at Brazil and Pele, were chanting their support for Neymar at the Mane Garrincha stadium during the game against Belgium on Saturday. The subject at the heart of the issue, Neymar himself, was urged to speak about the situation in an impromptu 'address to the nation' devised by Globo TV during the quarterfinal game between the Netherlands and Costa Rica later. Looking serene yet not able to conceal his trademark smirk, Neymar spoke about his injury and urged his teammates not to lose.

Leading the way in the social media was president Dilma Rousseff, who first wrote to Neymar lending her support, and then to Scolari's team, asking them not to lose heart and fight. An unpopular figure among the rich Brazilian elite here due to her propoor policies - many supporters in the VIP boxes at the sta diums can be seen wearing the Brazilian yellow short with the legend 'Fora Dilma (Dilma Out)" emblazoned on the back - the Brazilian president may just have dealt the political and emotional masterstroke in a country trying to come to terms with the Neymar setback. The presidential elections are scheduled for October here.

"Dear Neymar," she wrote.

"It broke my heart and the heart of every Brazilian watching the pain on your face on the Castelao field yesterday. But we also saw the immense strength of a great warrior who will never let himself be held back even when wounded.

"A great warrior who briefly interrupts his march, having already left his insurmountable mark on the victorious battle our Selecao is fighting. I know that, like every Brazilian, you will never give up and sooner than one can imagine, you will be back to fill our souls with joy and our history with triumph. May God give you strength and always protect you," she wrote.

In a separate message to the rest of the Selecao, Scolari and the team, Rousseff wrote, "Our entire country is enthusiastically following your great World Cup campaign. Once again, you have shown talent, determination, fighting spirit and the ability to rise above challenges, which will help make up for the major loss caused by the injury to our dear Neymar."

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